Partner Visa Document Checklist — documents that may need certified translation
Partner applications are evidence-heavy and assessed across four legislated pillars: financial, household, social and commitment. Volume matters less than coverage — a thin pillar is more damaging than a small file. Always check homeaffairs.gov.au for the latest requirements specific to your visa.
Important
This checklist is general guidance only. Not all documents listed will be required for every application. Requirements vary depending on your individual circumstances, the specific visa subclass, and the Department of Home Affairs' current requirements. Always verify the requirements at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging your application.
What decision-makers focus on in Partner applications
Four pillars, evenly covered
A case officer looks for financial, household, social and commitment evidence — strength in one does not repair a gap in another.
Continuity over time
Evidence spread across the whole relationship reads far better than a burst of documents from the month before lodgement.
Sponsor eligibility
The sponsor's own history, including previous sponsorships, forms part of the assessment.
Timing and sequence cautions
- Overseas police certificates expire — order them close to lodgement, not a year ahead.
- Form 888 declarations should be signed recently and reference current circumstances.
- For the 820/801 and 309/100 pairs, keep collecting evidence after lodgement for the permanent stage.
Common mistakes in Partner files
- Hundreds of photographs and almost no financial evidence.
- Declarations that repeat identical wording, suggesting a template.
- Missing a police certificate for a country lived in briefly but long enough to trigger the rule.
- Foreign-language chat logs, declarations or civil records submitted untranslated.
Which Documents May Need NAATI-Certified Translation?
Partner files draw on civil registry documents, foreign police certificates, family declarations and overseas bank records. Each non-English item needs a certified English translation, and name spellings should be reconciled where a passport transliteration differs from a civil registry entry.
- Birth certificates for both parties
- Marriage certificate, or evidence of a de facto relationship
- Divorce decrees or death certificates ending previous relationships
- Change-of-name records
- Joint bank account statements
- Joint loans, insurance policies or superannuation nominations
- Evidence of shared bills and transfers between you
- Lease, mortgage or property title in both names
- Utility, internet or council accounts at the same address
- Statutory declarations from family and friends overseas
- Wills, beneficiary nominations or emergency contact records
- Police clearances from every country lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years
- Court or custody orders relevant to children
Trans Lingo provides NAATI-certified translations from $59 per page, delivered within 24 hours.
Save or Print This Checklist
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Related Guides
Partner Visas overview
Full category guide and document list.
Subclass 820 — Partner (Onshore Temporary)
Onshore temporary partner visa.
Subclass 801 — Partner (Onshore Permanent)
Onshore permanent partner visa.
Birth Certificate Translation
NAATI-certified, from $59.
Marriage Certificate Translation
NAATI-certified, from $59.
Police Check Translation
NAATI-certified, from $59.
Frequently Asked Questions
This checklist is general guidance for documents commonly used in Partner applications. Not every document will apply to every applicant. Always check homeaffairs.gov.au for the latest requirements.
Section A — Identity and civil status
- Passports for both applicant and sponsorMay need translation
- Birth certificates for both partiesTranslation required
- Marriage certificate, or evidence of a de facto relationshipTranslation required
- Divorce decrees or death certificates ending previous relationshipsTranslation required
- Change-of-name recordsTranslation required
Section B — Financial pillar
Evidence you share money, liabilities and financial decisions.
- Joint bank account statementsTranslation required
- Joint loans, insurance policies or superannuation nominationsTranslation required
- Evidence of shared bills and transfers between youTranslation required
- Major purchases made togetherMay need translation
Section C — Household pillar
- Lease, mortgage or property title in both namesTranslation required
- Utility, internet or council accounts at the same addressTranslation required
- Mail addressed to both of you at the same addressMay need translation
- Statements about how you divide chores and responsibilitiesMay need translation
Section D — Social pillar
- Form 888 statutory declarations from Australian supportersNot usually required
- Statutory declarations from family and friends overseasTranslation required
- Photographs across the length of the relationship with dates and placesNot usually required
- Invitations, travel bookings and event evidence naming you as a coupleMay need translation
Section E — Commitment pillar
- Relationship statements from both partnersNot usually required
- Communication history across periods of separationMay need translation
- Travel records of visits to each otherMay need translation
- Wills, beneficiary nominations or emergency contact recordsTranslation required
Section F — Character and health
- Police clearances from every country lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 yearsTranslation required
- Australian Federal Police check for the sponsor where requiredNot usually required
- Court or custody orders relevant to childrenTranslation required
- Health examination referral (arranged after lodgement)Not usually required
This checklist is general guidance only and is not legal advice. Requirements vary by visa subclass and individual circumstances. Always verify the current requirements at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging your application.